Lnc-ATG9B-4 aggravates progress of hepatocellular carcinoma through cell proliferation and migration by upregulating CDK5

[Overexpression of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 promotes progression of non-small cell lung cancer via the miR-130a-5p/CCND1 axis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the molecular mechanism by which FEZF1-AS1 overexpression promotes progression of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) via the miR-130a-5p/CCND1 axis.

METHODS

TCGA database was used to analyze FEZF1-AS1 expression levels in NSCLC. FEZF1-AS1 expression was detected by qRT-PCR in clinical specimens of NSCLC tissues and NSCLC cell lines, and its correlation with clinical features of the patients were analyzed. The binding sites of FEZF1-AS1 with hsa-miR-130a-5p and those of hsa-miR-130a-5p with CCND1 were predicted. CCK8 assay, clone formation assay, scratch assay, and Transwell assay were employed to examine the effects of FEZF1-AS1 knockdown and hsa-miR-130a-5p inhibitor on proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities of lung cancer cell lines. Dual luciferase assay was used to verify the binding of FEZF1-AS1 with hsa-miR-130a-5p and the binding of hsa-miR-130a-5p with CCND1. Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in CCND1 protein expression level in H1299 and H358 cells following FEZF1-AS1 knockdown and treatment with hsa-miR-130a-5p inhibitor.

RESULTS

FEZF1-AS1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues in close correlation with lymph node metastasis and also in H1299 and H358 cell lines (all P < 0.05). FEZF1-AS1 knockdown obviously reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of NSCLC cells (P < 0.05). Dual luciferase assay confirmed the binding of hsa-miR-130a-5p with FEZF1-AS1 and CCND1 (P < 0.05), and hsa-miR-130a-5p inhibitor significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells (P < 0.05). FEZF1-AS1 knockdown significantly reduced CCND1 protein expression in NSCLC cells, and this effect was strongly inhibited by treatment with hsa-miR-130a-5p inhibitor (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

FEZF1-AS1 is highly expressed in NSCLC tissue in close correlation with lymph node metastasis to promote cancer progression through the miR-130a-5p/CCND1 axis.

ATG9B regulates bacterial internalization via actin rearrangement

Invasive bacterial pathogens are internalized by host cells through endocytosis, which is regulated by a cascade of actin rearrangement signals triggered by host cell receptors or bacterial proteins delivered into host cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate actin rearrangement to promote bacterial invasion are not fully understood. Here, we show that the autophagy-related (ATG) protein ATG9B regulates the internalization of various bacteria by controlling actin rearrangement. ATG knockout screening and knockdown experiments in HeLa cells identified ATG9B as a critical factor for bacterial internalization. In particular, cells with ATG9B knockdown exhibited an accumulation of actin filaments and phosphorylated LIM kinase and cofilin, suggesting that ATG9B is involved in actin depolymerization. Furthermore, the kinase activity of Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinase 1 was found to regulate ATG9B localization and actin remodeling. These findings revealed a newly discovered function of ATG proteins in bacterial infection rather than autophagy-mediated immunity.

CDK5: an oncogene or an anti-oncogene: location location location

Recent studies have uncovered various physiological functions of CDK5 in many nonneuronal tissues. Upregulation of CDK5 and/or its activator p35 in neurons promotes healthy neuronal functions, but their overexpression in nonneuronal tissues is causally linked to cancer of many origins. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which CDK5 recruits diverse tissue-specific substrates to elicit distinct phenotypes in sixteen different human cancers. The emerging theme suggests that CDK5's role as an oncogene or anti-oncogene depends upon its subcellular localization. CDK5 mostly acts as an oncogene, but in gastric cancer, it is a tumor suppressor due to its unique nuclear localization. This indicates that CDK5's access to certain nuclear substrates converts it into an anti-oncogenic kinase. While acting as a bonafide oncogene, CDK5 also activates a few cancer-suppressive pathways in some cancers, presumably due to the mislocalization of nuclear substrates in the cytoplasm. Therefore, directing CDK5 to the nucleus or exporting tumor-suppressive nuclear substrates to the cytoplasm may be promising approaches to combat CDK5-induced oncogenicity, analogous to neurotoxicity triggered by nuclear CDK5. Furthermore, while p35 overexpression is oncogenic, hyperactivation of CDK5 by inducing p25 formation results in apoptosis, which could be exploited to selectively kill cancer cells by dialing up CDK5 activity, instead of inhibiting it. CDK5 thus acts as a molecular rheostat, with different activity levels eliciting distinct functional outcomes. Finally, as CDK5's role is defined by its substrates, targeting them individually or in conjunction with CDK5 should create potentially valuable new clinical opportunities.

Progress on the molecular mechanism of portal vein tumor thrombosis formation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, with poor prognosis and high mortality. Early-stage HCC has no obvious clinical symptoms, and most patients are already at an advanced stage when they are diagnosed. Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is the most common complication and a poor prognostic factor for HCC, which frequently leads to portal vein hypertension, ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, and tumor metastasis. The formation of PVTT is related to the complex structure and hemodynamic changes of the portal vein and is closely related to changes at the cellular and molecular levels. The differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between PVTT and primary tumor (PT) suggest that the two tissues may have different clonal origins. Epigenetic and proteomic analyses also suggest complex and diverse mechanisms for the formation of PVTT. In addition, the tumor microenvironment and energy metabolism pathways are interrelated in regulating the invasion and progression of PVTT. Aerobic glycolysis and the tumor immune microenvironment have been the focus of recent studies on PVTT. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of PVTT formation at the cellular and molecular levels to provide information to guide better prevention and treatment of PVTT in the clinic.

Portal vein tumor thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular mechanism and therapy

Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), a common complication of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains the bottleneck of the treatments. Liver cancer cells potentially experienced multi-steps during PVTT process, including cancer cells leave from cancer nest, migrate in extracellular matrix, invade the vascular barrier, and colonize in the portal vein. Accumulated evidences have revealed numerous of molecular mechanisms including genetic and epigenetic regulation, cancer stem cells, immunosuppressive microenvironment, hypoxia, et al. contributed to the PVTT formation. In this review, we discuss state-of-the-art PVTT research on the potential molecular mechanisms and experimental models. In addition, we summarize PVTT-associated clinical trials and current treatments for PVTT and suppose perspectives exploring the molecular mechanisms and improving PVTT-related treatment for the future.

ST8SIA6-AS1 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma progression by targeting miR-142-3p/HMGA1 axis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) accounts for 90% of all liver cancers and is a serious health concern worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been observed to sponge microRNAs (miRNAs) and participate in the biological processes of LIHC. This study aimed to evaluate the role of the ST8SIA6-AS1-miR-142-3p-HMGA1 axis in regulating LIHC progression. RT-qPCR and western blotting were performed to determine the levels of ST8SIA6-AS1, miR-142-3p, and HMGA1 in LIHC. The relationship between ST8SIA6-AS1, miR-142-3p, and HMGA1 was assessed using luciferase assay. The role of the ST8SIA6-AS1-miR-142-3p-HMGA1 axis was evaluated in vitro using LIHC cells. Expression of ST8SIA6-AS1 and HMGA1 was significantly upregulated, whereas that of miR-142-3p was markedly lowered in LIHC specimens and cells. ST8SIA6-AS1 accelerated cell growth, invasion, and migration and suppressed apoptosis in LIHC. Notably, ST8SIA6-AS1 inhibited HMGA1 expression by sponging miR-142-3p in LIHC cells. In conclusion, sponging of miR-142-3p by ST8SIA6-AS1 accelerated the growth of cells while preventing cell apoptosis in LIHC cells, and the inhibitory effect of miR-142-3p was abrogated by elevating HMGA1 expression. The ST8SIA6-AS1-miR-142-3p-HMGA1 axis represents a potential target for the treatment of patients with LIHC.

LncRNA THAP9-AS1 highly expressed in tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma and accelerates tumor cell proliferation

BACKGROUND

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as significant regulators of cancer development. The purposes of study were to analyze the expression levels of long noncoding RNA THAP9-AS1 (THAP9-AS1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue samples and cell lines, evaluate the clinical significance of THAP9-AS1 in predicting the survival prognosis of HCC patients, and explore the biological function of THAP9-AS1 in regulating tumor progression of HCC.

METHODS

The expression of THAP9-AS1 was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The determination of HCC cell proliferation was performed using cell counting kit-8 assay. Chi-square test was used to reveal the relationship between THAP9-AS1 and clinicopathological data of HCC patients. Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test were used to perform analyze the relationship between THAP9-AS1 and prognostic survival in HCC patients. Cox regression was used to evaluate the abilities of THAP9-AS1 to predict survival outcomes in HCC patients.

RESULTS

The expression of THAP9-AS1 were markedly upregulated in HCC tissue and cells. THAP9-AS1 expression was correlated with tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage. High THAP9-AS1 expression was associated with poor prognostic survival in HCC patients. THAP9-AS1 was an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients. Overexpression of THAP9-AS1 promoted HCC cell proliferation, silencing THAP9-AS1 inhibited HCC cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Aberrantly highly expressed THAP9-AS1 in HCC tissues and cells was associated with tumor size, TNM stage and poor survival prognosis, and promoted HCC cell proliferation. THAP9-AS1 had the potential to serve as independent prognostic biomarker for HCC patients and provide a novel target for HCC patients' prognostic treatment.

The therapeutic effect of Huazhuojiedu decoction on precancerous lesions in a gastric cancer model via the regulation of lnc 517368

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huazhuojiedu decoction, a Chinese herbal preparation, has been proven to be clinically effective in treating precancerous lesions in gastric cancer (PLGC). This formula is optimized from a classic formula called "Ganluxiaodu Dan." Although some experiments have shown that Huazhuojiedu decoction is effective against PLGC, the mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the treatment of PLGC with Huazhuojiedu decoction from the perspective of lncRNA in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A PLGC rat model was prepared and randomly divided into a Huazhuojiedu decoction group (HG), a vitacoenzyme group (VG), a model group (MG), and a normal group (CG). Each group was given a corresponding concentration of medicine and distilled water for 10 weeks. The pathological changes in the gastric mucosa were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE). High-throughput sequencing was performed to detect the differentially expressed lncRNAs in the HG, MG, and CG. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify differentially expressed lncRNAs, and rat-human homology information was obtained from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Genome Database. Human gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) were used to prepare precancerous lesions of gastric cancer cells (MC). A Huazhuojiedu decoction drug-containing serum was prepared to treat the MC cells. The effects of the Huazhuojiedu decoction and the lncRNA ENST00000517368 (lnc 517368) knockdown or overexpression on PLGC cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated in vitro using CCK-8, flow cytometry, and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

The HE results showed that gastric mucosal pathology was significantly improved in the HG. High-throughput sequencing results showed that compared with the CG, 91 lncRNAs upregulated in the MG were restored and downregulated in the HG (P < 0.05), and 115 lncRNAs downregulated in the MG were restored and upregulated in the HG (P < 0.05). The results of RT-qPCR were consistent with the sequencing results. The differentially expressed genomic rat lncRNA ENSRNOT00000079699 is homologous to human lnc 517368. In cell experiments, high expression of lnc 517368 promoted proliferation and reduced apoptosis in PLGC cells, while the Huazhuojiedu decoction reduced the expression of lnc 517368 and improved cell morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

Huazhuojiedu decoction inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in PLGC cells, and its effect may be partially dependent on the downregulation of lnc 517368.

Inhibition of miR-144-3p exacerbates non-small cell lung cancer progression by targeting CEP55

Increasing evidence has indicated that microRNA dysregulation is closely related to the occurrence and development of cancers. Herein, we investigated the relationship between miR-144-3p and CEP55 expression. We then evaluated the association between miR-144-3p and CEP55 expression and proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Real-time quantitative PCR results revealed that CEP55 was over-expressed whereas miR-144-3p was under-expressed in NSCLC tissues. CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay, and flow cytometry further revealed that overexpression of miR-144-3p significantly inhibited proliferation and migration, but promoted apoptosis of A549 cells. Conversely, inhibition of miR-144-3p promoted proliferation and migration but suppressed apoptosis of H460 cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-144-3p modulated malignant properties of cancer cells by targeting CEP55. Overexpression of CEP55 partially blocked the inhibitory effect of miR-144-3p on proliferation and migration of A549 cells and induced apoptosis of A549 cells. CEP55 knockdown modulated the increase in proliferation and migration and the decrease in apoptosis of H460 cells following miR-144-3p inhibition. These findings demonstrated that miR-144-3p suppresses NSCLC development by inhibiting CEP55 expression.